Hair Dryer

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hand-held hair dryer that includes a cylindrically shaped housing having a central axis extending between a first end and a second end of the housing. The housing includes an air inlet located at the first end of the housing and an air outlet opposed to the air inlet, wherein the air outlet is located at or near the second end of the body. The housing supports a fan disposed inside the housing for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The housing also supports a heater disposed inside the housing for heating the airflow. The housing further supports an attachment engaged with the second end of the housing such that the attachment is in communication with the air outlet and receives the airflow from the housing. The attachment supports one or more tines, and in one embodiment a plurality of tines, wherein the tines include a length and at least one air exit defined along the length.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Appln. No. 6268588, filed on Jun. 15, 2018, entitled Hair Dryer, naming Nicole Morris, Loletta Darden and Thomas Darden as inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair dryer, more specifically a hand-held hair dryer.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a typical hair dryer, the hair dryer includes a fan motor, a heater unit, and a housing arranged to cover the fan motor and the heater unit. The fan motor drives an impeller or another suitable rotor in order to induce a flow of air from an inlet in the housing past a heater unit to an outlet of the housing.

The typical dryers found in commercial use include the turbo dryer, which is an application of a vane axial fan, and the professional dryer, which is an application of a centrifugal fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In illustrative embodiment, the dryer may be a hand-held hair dryer that includes a cylindrically shaped housing having a central axis extending between a first end and a second end of the housing. The housing includes an air inlet located at the first end of the housing and an air outlet opposed to the air inlet, wherein the air outlet is located at or near the second end of the body. The housing supports a fan disposed inside the housing for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The housing also supports a heater disposed inside the housing for heating the airflow. The housing further supports an attachment engaged with the second end of the housing such that the attachment is in communication with the air outlet and receives the airflow from the housing. The attachment supports one or more tines, and in one embodiment a plurality of tines, wherein the tines include a length and at least one air exit defined along the length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair dryer formed in accordance with the teaching of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hair dryer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the hair dryer shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the hair dryer 10 includes a housing 12, an attachment 30 and one or more tines 32. The hair dryer in one embodiment may be a hand-held hair dryer.

As illustrated by a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hair dryer 10 includes a cylindrically shaped housing 12 having a central axis 14 extending between a first end 16 and a second end 18 of the housing 12. The housing 12 also includes an air inlet 20 located approximate the first end 16 of the housing 12 and an air outlet 22 opposed to the air inlet 20 and located at the second end 18 of housing 12.

The housing 12 may support a handle (not shown) having a first end supported by the housing 12 and a second end distal from the housing 12. Alternatively, the housing 12 may support a gripping surface (not shown) wherein the gripping surface may extend circumferentially or axially along the outer periphery housing 12. The gripping surface and handle may be made of a plastic, including thermoplastic, materials, rubber, a combination of rubber and plastic materials or other materials suitable for providing a gripping surface or handle having a cooler temperature than the housing 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 12 also supports a fan 24 and motor 26 disposed within the housing 12 for generating an airflow 28 from the air inlet 20 to the air outlet 22. The housing 12 also supports a heater 30 disposed inside the housing 12 for heating the airflow 28. The fan 24 and motor 26 are coupled using known techniques so that the motor 26 drives the fan 24 or other air-moving device to induce airflow 28 from the air inlet 20 in the housing 12 past the heater 30 and through the air outlet 22. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the motor 26 drives a fan 24 so as to send air downstream along the central axis 14 through the hollow cylindrical housing 12 supporting the heater 30, fan 24 and motor 26 to an outlet 22 downstream of the inlet 20. In other embodiments, the fan may be a centrifugal fan or turbo fan or other air-moving device.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 12 further include an attachment 32 supported by the second end 18. The attachment 32 includes a body 46 having a first end 48 and a second end 50. The first end 48 of the attachment 32 is supported by the housing 12. The first end 48 of the attachment 32 may be detachably supported by the housing 12 at second end 18. In an alternative embodiment, the attachment 32 and the housing 12 may be a unitary construction. The attachment 32 is in fluid communication with the air outlet 22 and receives the airflow 28.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the attachment 32 may support one or more tines 34. The one or more tines 34 are received in a tine end plate 34 a that is detachably supported by attachment 32. In an alternative embodiment, the tine end plate 34 a and the attachment 32 may be formed as a unitary piece.

The one or more tines 34 include a first end 36, a second end 38 and a length 40 between the first end 36 and the second end 38. In a preferred embodiment, the second end 38 of tines 34 define a tapered or angled end 38 a. In a preferred embodiment, tapered or angled end 38 a may include an angle in the range between 15 to 45 degrees, with the ideal angle being 15 degrees.

The one or more tines 34 may be formed as hollow metal or plastic tubes having an inner and outer diameter. The inner diameter of the tines 34 or prongs may be uniform or of a variable diameter. The outer diameter of the tines 34 may also be of a constant or variable diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more tines have an outer diameter selected from the outer diameters of 10, 12, 16, 20 and 21 gauge diameters. Depending on the desired speed of airflow 28 through the housing 12 and tines 34, larger or smaller gauge tubes or diameters may be used.

The configuration of the tines/prongs 34 depends on whether the hair dryer 10 is used to increase or decrease the velocity of the air speed leaving the air exit 44 associated with the tines 34. As is known in fluid dynamics, decreasing the diameter of a pipe through which air flows increases the velocity of the airflow through the pipe and increasing the diameter of the pipe slows the air's velocity. The hair dryer 10 of the present invention may be designed to increase or decrease air discharge rates depending on the application of the hair dryer 10. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end 38 a of the tines/prongs 34 are angled to increase the velocity of the air discharged through the tines/prongs 34. The increased speed helps to improve moisture evaporation. For instance, if the hair dryer 10 is used in the manner one would use a diffuser, it may be desirable to slow the velocity of the airflow exiting the tines 34.

This configuration of the tines/prongs 34 also works well for individuals seeking to dry their natural hair that's resides underneath a hair construction or their natural hair styled in a hairstyle as defined in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/287,734 filed on Oct. 6, 2016, which claims priority to Provisional Appln. 62/239,846 filed Oct. 9, 2015. The tines/prongs 34 are constructed to be able to pierce a hair construction or natural hairstyle as defined below.

The second end 38 includes a distal end 38 a that defines a taped end, which may result in a hairstyle having the definition set forth in application Ser. No. 15/287,734. The term hair construction means, but is not limited to, regular sew-in weaves, net weaves, lace front weaves, stocking cap weaves, lace front weaves, or molded weaves. The terms “hairstyles” and “hairstyle” mean, but are not limited to, braids, twists, dreadlocks, dreadlock up-dos, natural styles and natural hair up-dos. In most hair constructions and some natural hairstyles, the hair construction or natural hairstyle creates a barrier blocking direct access to the scalp or root of the hair. The dryer of the present invention having tines/prongs configured as long thin tubes having an angled end permits the tines/prongs to penetrate the hair construction or natural hairstyle without dislodging or causing significant damage to the hair construction or hairstyle.

Ideally, the angle of taper for distal end 38 a defines a tine second end 38 that pierces the hair construction or hairstyle without dislodging or significantly damaging the hair construction or hairstyle. As used herein, a hair construction is dislodged if upon first insertion of tine 34 it becomes undone or breaks apart. A hair construction is significantly damaged if its breaks apart or suffers radial line cracking at the point of insertion upon first use of tines 34, except one will understand that under some hair constructions the hair construction may bear radial punctures therein at the point of insertion of the tines 34. These radial punctures are to be expected with certain hair constructions.

Turning now back to FIG. 3, the length 40 of tines 34 defines an airflow path 42 that extends between the first end 36 and the second end 38 and at least one air exit 44. The air exit 44 may be formed at the distal end 38 a of second end 38 or along the length 40. In a preferred embodiment, the length 40 may define a plurality of air exits 44 along the length 40, wherein the plurality of air exits 44 may be of uniform or non-uniform size.

The hair dryer 10 may further include an electronics system for controlling the speed of the fan and the temperature of the heater unit, wherein the heater may be disabled to provide for the flow of unheated air through the hair dryer 10. The electronics may include a printed circuit board (“PCB”) (not shown) including the control electronics for the hair dryer 10, The PCB may be located in the housing 12. The PCB may be ring shaped and extend around the inner circumference of the housing 12 near the air inlet 20. The PCB is in fluid communication with airflow 28. The PCB extends about the airflow path for airflow 28.

The PCB controls such parameters as the temperature of the heater 30 and the speed of rotation of the fan 24. Internal wiring (not shown) electrically connects the PCB to the heater 30 and the fan 24 and the cable/plug 52. Control buttons 54, 56, 58 and 60 are provided and connected to the PCB to enable a user to select from a range of temperature settings for the heater 30 and fan 24 speed. Internal wiring or other wireless circuitry connects the PCB to sensors (not shown) placed in airflow path 28 through the housing 12 and/or through airflow path 42 through the tines 34. The sensors sense the temperature of the air and sends a signal to the PCB to increase or decrease the temperature of the heater 30 and fan 24 speed rotation. The PCB may include sensors that adjust heater 30 temperature setting and fan 24 speed rotation based on hair porosity, wherein said adjustments may be made manually by a user or automatically by dryer electronics based on input data regarding hair porosity. In an alternative embodiment, the PCB may also contain electronics that automatically selects or recommends heater 30 temperature settings and fan 24 speed rotation based on a data input regarding the hair porosity of a user.

In use, fluid is drawn into the inlet 20 by the action of the fan 24. The air is optionally heated by the heater 30 and exits the housing 12 at housing 12 second end 18. Air from the second end 18 is received by attachment 32 where it flows through tines 34 over flow path 42 and out the distal end 38 a of tines 34.

Power is supplied to the hair dryer 10 via a cable 52. At a distal end of cable 52 from the hair dryer 10 a plug (not shown) is provided, the plug may provide electrical connection to an alternating current source or to a battery pack for example. The housing 12 supports an on/off switch 54 in electrical communication with cable 52 such that activating or deactivating the on/off switch 54 actives or deactivates the motor 26 and heater 30.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the disclosed invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A hand-held hair dryer comprising, a cylindrically shaped body having a central axis extending between a first end and a second end of the body; an air inlet located at the first end of the body, an air outlet opposed to the air inlet and located at the second end of the body; a fan disposed inside the body for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet; a heater disposed inside the body for heating the airflow; an attachment engaged with the second end of the body in communication with the air outlet to receive the air flow; and one or more tines supported by the attachment, wherein the one or more tines include a length and at least one air exit defined along the length.
 2. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is detachably secured to the body.
 3. The hair dryer defined in claim 1, wherein the length of the one or more tines includes a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines tapered end.
 4. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tines are metal tubes having an inner and outer diameter.
 5. The hair dryer according to claim 4, wherein the one or more tines have an outer diameter of 10, 12, 16, 20 or 21 gauge.
 6. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the one or more air exits may be of uniform or non-uniform size.
 7. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tines are plastic tubes having an inner and outer diameter.
 8. The hair dryer according to claim 7, wherein the one or more tines have an outer diameter of 10, 12, 16, 20 or 21 gauge.
 9. The hair dryer according to claim 1, including a handle or gripping surface supported by the body.
 10. The hair dryer according to claim 1, including electronics supported by said housing that adjust heater temperature settings based on hair porosity, wherein said adjustments may be made manually by a user or automatically by dryer electronics based on input data regarding hair porosity.
 11. The hair dryer according to claim 1, including electronics supported by said housing that adjust fan speed rotation based on hair porosity, wherein said adjustments may be made manually by a user or automatically by dryer electronics based on input data regarding hair porosity.
 12. A hand-held hair dryer comprising, a cylindrically shaped body having a central axis extending between a first end and a second end of the body; an air inlet located at the first end of the body, an air outlet opposed to the air inlet and located at the second end of the body; a fan disposed inside the body for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet; a heater disposed inside the body for heating the airflow; an attachment engaged with the second end of the body in communication with the air outlet to receive the air flow; and a plurality of tines supported by the attachment, wherein the plurality of tines include a length and at least one air exit defined along the length.
 13. The hair dryer defined in claim 12, wherein the plurality of tines include a plurality of air exits defined along the length.
 14. The hair dryer defined in claim 12, wherein the length of the plurality of tines includes a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines tapered end.
 15. The hair dryer defined in claim 12, wherein the attachment is detachably secured to the body.
 16. The hair dryer defined in claim 12, including a handle or gripping surface supported by the body.
 17. The hair dryer according to claim 12, including electronics supported by said housing that adjust heater temperature settings based on hair porosity, wherein said adjustments may be made manually by a user or automatically by dryer electronics based on input data regarding hair porosity.
 18. The hair dryer according to claim 12, including electronics supported by said housing that adjust fan speed rotation based on hair porosity, wherein said adjustments may be made manually by a user or automatically by dryer electronics based on input data regarding hair porosity. 